§ SIR EDWARD J. REED (Cardiff)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is true that Mr. Clifford Lloyd, after serving as Colonial Secretary in residence at the Mauritius for a period of eight months only, was subsequently absent from his post for a period of 10 months prior to his recent removal therefrom; whether the Colonial Office has called upon the Colony to provide half-pay for him throughout the whole of that period of absence; whether the Finance Committee of the Colony declined to vote this money, or all of it, on the ground that the full 537 salary of the office was paid to Mr. Fleming, the acting Secretary, from the date of his assuming the duties; whether the Council of Government then voted the money, the Vote being carried by Government officials against the wishes of nine out of 11 non-official Members of the Council, and by means of a second and casting vote given by the acting Governor, Major General Hawley; and, whether, under these circumstances, he proposes to relieve the Colony from a charge which a large majority of the representative Members of the Council of Government deem to be an unjust exaction?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir HENRY HOLLAND) (Hampstead)The statement in the first paragraph of the Question is correct. Mr. Lloyd came home on sick leave, and could not be present at the inquiry in Mauritius. It was, therefore, thought desirable that he should remain and give his explanations here. In accordance with the Rules of the Service Mr. Lloyd has received half salary while on leave. The Council of Government wore asked to vote for Mr. Fleming, the acting Colonial Secretary, the full pay of his office, instead of the half salary which was available under the Rules. The majority of the Finance Committee voted against giving the additional half salary to Mr. Fleming; two of the Members on the ground stated in the third paragraph. Nine out of 11 non-officials opposed the Vote, which was carried by 12 to 11. The acting Governor did not give a casting vote. Since the instructions for passing the Vote were given Mr. Fleming has been appointed to administer the Government temporarily; and, as he will thus receive a substantial increase of salary, I propose to instruct him not to draw the additional half salary thus voted to him.